Combination lock



. l, 1953 M. D. BENNETT ETAL COMBINATION LOCK 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 11. 1949 HHIHHHHH l l I l will! a@ 6a 47 22 an I6 45 453| lilly/ll A'TTRNEY Dec. l, 1953 M. D. BENNETT ET AL 2,660,873

COMBINATION LOCK Filed Aug. 11, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS PLO. Bef/nef?? BY FTZ/zz'/ ATTURNEY Patented Dec. 1, 1953 COMBINATION. LOCK Maurice l). Bennett a nd Frank T. Zizzi, :Stamford, Conn., assignors to The Yale & l.'.lowne Manufacturing Company, corporation of Connecticut Stamford, Conn., la

Application August 11, 1949, lSerial No. 109,722

(Cl. 'I0-133') 21 Claims. `H

.This invention relates Ato 'a Vcombination lock, and more particularly, to means for preventing the detection, by manipulation, ofthe combination of a combination lock.

It is the particular object of our invention to contribute a combination lock in which 'the fence may not be manipulated relatively to the tumblers for the purpose of detecting the locations vof the gatings of the said tumblers.

As a feature of vour invention, we utilize means that Amay take the form of a fence, and which we shall term a feeler fence. This feeler fence is kpreferably additional toa vmain fence or bolt retracting fence that we Yprefer to use in our invention. The feeler fence is adapted to enter the tumbler gatings upon the alignment thereof, but is maintained away from the gatings 'at all times except in a predetermined position of the tumbler rotating means. Thus, When'the tumbler rotating means, in our case a driver tumbler, is in a particular position, thefeeler fence moves toward the tumbler gatings. Preferably, in all other positions of the driver tumbler, the fence is held away from the tumbler gatings. Therefore, un-

less the gatings are laligned when the vfence moves i toward those gatings, it is impossible to open the lock.

As a further feature of our invention, lthe feeler fence is moved by means other than lthe usual manually operated dial so as to be free of manual feel It may be controlled lby a balancing spring, ythe spring beingpressed in one direction to maintain the feeler fence away from the gatings of the tumblers in practically all positions of the driver tumbler. In one short angular sector .of the driver tumbler, the spring is actuated to urge the feeler fence against the tumblers and into the tumbler gatings if they have been previously aligned. It is emphasized that other .means may be thus used to actuate the feeler fence.

As a still further feature of our invention, in the vpreferred form of our invention .the feeler fence is mounted on a main fence, or bolt retracting fence, although conceivably the feeler fence could itself function as the bolt moving element. Further, the feeler fence could control means other than a fence for moving the bolt. Upon entry of the feeler fence into the tumbler gatings, the rotation of the tumblers will actuate the feeler fence and therethrough will effect the movement of the main fence into the tumbler gatings. Only thereafter will it be possible to retract the bolt.

.As a still further feature of our invention, the bolt of our lock is retractable v.by the fence 'through the movement thereof by the tumbler gatings `after the `said initial movement by the feeler fence. However, the iinal throw of the lbolt is preferably eifectedbya spring `so that the'fmain fence, being movablewith the bolt, is -always maintaining away from the tumbler gatings by 'the said Vspring vin the fully thrown position of 'the bolt.

We havethus outlined rather broadly the 'more important features of our invention in order that the detailed description thereof V'that follows-'may be better understood, and in order that ourfcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional featuresof our invention that will vbe described hereinafter and which will form the subject of th'e v'claims Jappended hereto. Those skilled in the fart will appreciate that ythe conception on which our ldisclosure is based .may readily be vutilized as a basis for the designing of other structures .for carrying out the several purposes of our invention.'

Refering now to the drawings, Fig. '1 is a :section through a door showing our combination lool: applied thereto, the combination lock itself being shown .in section with Ithe section taken along lines l--I of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a sectiontaken along lines 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is aview of the parts Yof Fig. 2 showing the feeler fence :spring pressed toward the tumbler lgatings in one position of the tumbler rotating means. Fig. 4 is a view of the parts of Fig. 3 with the tumblers `all removed and the driving tumbler shown in phantom. Fig. 5 is va view of the parts of Figi. tlshowing the tumblers aligned and the -feeler fence within the tumbler gatin'gs. Fig. 6 shows the manner in which the rotation ofthe drivertumbier from its position of Fig. 5 to its position vof Fig. 6 retracts the bolt through the feeler fence and the main fence. Fig. 7 is an exploded view of the .tum'blers of our invention, the two fences, the fence positioning means, andthe bolt.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and vespecially Fig. 1, reference Ynumeral 1li) indicates the usual type of ycombination setting dial used in "combination locks of the class 'being discussed, and positioned on one side of a door l i. The combination lock is itself enclosed within a suitable casing l2 from which extends a tube i3. The dial i6 is xed to a usual spindle I4, the spindle extending through the tube i3 and being keyed at i 5 to a driver tumbler i6, the said driver tumbler being best illustrated in Fig. 7.

The driver tumbler i6 is adapted, through the usual means well known in the art, to rotate a tumbler i? that in turn .rotates `a tumbler I3 that in turn sets a tumbler I9. This sequential rotay tion of the tumblersmay, 'for example, 'be accomplished through lugs ld that We show upon the tumblers in Fig. l. In other words, the rotation of the dial will, through the spindle I4, set the several tumblers I5I 9 so as to align their several gatings relatively to the fence of the lock. The gating of tumbler I5 is designated by reference numeral 20, while the gatings of tumblers I1, I8, and I9 are designated respectively by reference numerals 2 I, 22, and 23. Insofar as we have described our invention, it is of that usual and standard construction well known in this art.

Mounted for sliding movement within the casing I2 is a bolt 24 having a locking nose 25 and a tail piece 26. The surface 21 of the bolt tail 26 bears against the casing While a lug 28 secured to the bolt coacts with a guide lug 29 on the casing. Thereby, the bolt is well guided for movement relatively to the casing. A coil torsion spring 30 bears with its leg 39a. against the end surface 28a,

of the lug 28 when the bolt is projected as in Fig. 5 so as to hold the said bolt projected. When the bolt is retracted as in Fig. 6, leg 30a of the spring 39 bears against the upper surface of the lug 28 and then maintains the bolt frictionally in its retracted position.

For retracting the bolt, we utilize a fence designated generally by reference numeral 3l and best illustrated in Fig. 7. Fence 3| is formed with a bore 32 whereby it may be pivotally mounted on a post 33 extending upwardly from the casing I2 of the lock. An arm 34 oi the fence -3I is formed with a circular lug 35 riding within the slot 36 of the bolt 24. It is obvious that when the fence 3I vis moved from its position of Fig. 5 to its position of Fig. 6, the circular lug 35 will, through the slot 35, retract the bolt from a projected position of Fig. 5 to a retracted position shown in Fig. 6.

The gating entering portion of the fence 3I is in the form of a fence bar 31. Bar 31 is normally shielded by a lip 38 of a part that we term a feeler fence 39. Feeler fence 39 is suitably formed of sheet metal and has a pair of spaced arms y40, 4I drilled at 42, 43 whereby a pin 44 mounts the said feeler fence for pivotal movement relatively to the main fence 3|, the pin 44 traversing a bore 45 in an arm 45 of the said main fence 3|.

A spring 41 is secured to a pin 48 extending from the part 49 of the feeler fence 39, the other end of the said spring being fixed at 49 to a pivoting member 50 bored at 5l and 52 for a pivot pin 53. Obviously, through the pivot pin 59 member 5D may move relatively to the casing as from its position of Fig. 2 to its position of Figs. 3, 4,

and 6. For moving the pivoting member 59 about pivot shaft 55, we utilize a lever 54 having a pin 55 riding in a slot 55 of the pivoting member 50'. Through a drilled hole 51, the lever 54 is mounted for pivotal movement relatively to the casing I2, the bore 51 fitting about a suitable pin extending from the casing and functioning as theV bearing for the lever 54. A pin 58 extends upwardly from the lever 54 and rides in a cam groove 59 of the driver tumbler IB.

When the portion 55 of the cam groove 59 is opposite the pin 58, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the lever 54 will have been rotated clockwise on its pivot bore 51. This movement of the lever 54 will, of course, impart movement to the pivoting member 5t so as to move the securing point 49 of spring 41 from the position of Fig. 2 to the position of Figs. 3 and 4. VOn the other hand, whenever any other portion of the cam groove 59 is opposite the pin 53, as in Fig. 2, for example, the lever 54 and the pivoting member 4 59 will be so positioned as to hold the spring in its position of Fig. 2.

It is obvious that in the position of the parts in Fig. 2 the spring 41 tends to rotate the feeler fencev 39 clockwise about pivot pin 44 through which feeler fence 39 is mounted relatively to the main fence 3l, thereby urging the feeler fence 39 and its lip 33 away from the tumblers I5-I9. It is further obvious that when the spring is moved to its position of Figs. 3 and 4, it will function to rotate the feeler fence in an opposed direction about pivot pin 44. Therefore, in Fig. 2 the feeler fence is rotated by the spring away from the tumblers while in Fig. 3 the feeler fence has been moved toward the tumblers and actually presses against the peripheries of the tumblers.

At this point it will be Well to indicate that the driver tumbler l5 is smaller in diameter than the remaining tumblers and that therefore the feeler fence will always lie against those tumblers other than the driver tumbler when it is urged to the position of Figs. 3 and 4 and the tumbler gatings are not aligned. The spaced relation between the feeler fence lip 38 and the driver tumbler is Well illustrated in Fig. 4 where the driver tumbler I6 is shown in phantom. In other words, therefore, it is only when the gating 29 of the driver tumbler I5 is opposite the lip 38 of the feeler fence 39, as in Fig. 3, that the feeler fence is urged toward the tumblers through the operation of the lever 5G and the parts associated therewith. It is well to know further that when the feeler fence is moved towards the tumbler gatings, it is moved entirely by the spring 41 so that the operator at the dial i9 can in no way control the movement of the feeler fence and therefore cannot obtain a sense of feel.

In the operation of the invention, each time that the driver tumbler i9 rotates past the position it occupies in Fig. 3, it momentarily urges the feeler fence 39 toward the tumbler gatings. If the tumbler gatings are not aligned, which is the condition in Figs. 3 and 4, nothing happens and the lock remains locked. However, as was earlier indicated, it is impossible to obtain a sense of feel because the feeler fence is moved toward the tumbler gatings by the relatively light action of the spring 41. Further, the very light construction of the feeler fence 39 means that the mo-r mentum attained by the feeler fence is very slight. Therefore, the movement of the feeler fence is of no aid in the determination surreptitiously of the location of the tumbler gatings. It would also be well to note that in the position of the parts in Figs. 3 and 4, the bolt is securely maintained projected by the action of the leg 39a of the spring 30 and that this projection of the bolt 24 maintains `the fence 3I securely in its position of Fig. 3 with its gating entering bar 31 maintained firmly away from the tumblers a relatively considerable distance.

Let us assume that when the driver tumbler I6 reaches the position of Fig. 3, the several tumblers have been moved so that their gatings are in alignment with gating 29 of the driver tumbler. With the parts in this relationship, the lip 38 of the feeler fence 39 will immediately enter the several tumbler gatings as shown in Fig. 5. However, the gating entering bar 31 of the fence will still be a considerable distance away from the gatings. If now the driver tumbler I5 together with the remaining tumblers is rotated from the position of Fig. 5 to the position of Fig. 6, the surface 29a of the gating 20 will strike the lip 38 of the feeler fence 39 and will rotate that feeler- Vtence from the position'of Fig. f5 toward Sthetposition of Fig. 6. This movement :of thefe'eler fence `will effect, through the mounting pini, counterclockwise rotation :of v"the fence Bil.

If the tumbler gatings have been properly aligned, the bar 3?! of the fence '31 will actually enter the several -gatings and will 'fbe propelled A:by the driver tumbler surface 20a to the Iposition of Fig. 6. Of course, this will completely retract the bolt 24 against the pressure 'of spring 3b. After a certain degree of retraction, the vleg a of spring 3U will act as a detent to hold the bolt yieldingly in its retracted -position. 'Upon -a reverse rotation of the driver tumbler v'I't 4'from its position of Fig. 6 to its position of Fig. v'5, the rbolt will be projected and the bar 37! of the fence will leave the tumbler gatings. At the same time, the driver tumbler will, ythrough the lever 4, move the spring l-'I back to its position of 2 moving the lip 38 out of the several tumbler ga't ings. The momentum of this movement of the fence and feeler fence will ten-d -to move at least one of the tumblers out of gating aligning position so as to disperse the combination. Of course, the combination may be dispersed manually also by a mere rotation of the dial fill.

We believe that the nature of our invention and the contribution made -to this art `will now be clearly understood by those skilled in this art.

We now claim:

1. In a lock of the class described, a fence, Va series of rotatable tumblers having gatings into which said fence enters upon alignment of said gatings and said fence, means for pressing said fence relatively to said tumblers, and means directing the pressing action `of said pressing means on said fence away from said tumblers during part of the rotation of at least one of said tumblers and toward said tumblers during theremainder of the rotation of at least `said one tumbler.

2. In a lock of the class described, 'a fence, a series of rotatable tumblers having gatings into which said fence enters upon alignment of said gatings and said fence, a dial for rotating said tumblers, means for pressing said fence relatively to said tumblers, and means directing the pressing action of said pressing means on said fence away from said tumblers during part of each revolution of said dial and toward said tumblers r during the remainder of the revolution of said dial.

3. In a lock of the class described, a fence, a series of tumblers mounted for rotation about a single predetermined axis and having gatings into which said fence enters upon alignment of said gatings and said tence, means .for pressing said fence relatively to said tumblers, and means directing the pressing action of said pressing means on said fence away from said tumblers during part of the rotation of at least one of said tumblers and toward said tumblers during the remainder of the rotation of at least said one tumbler.

4. In a lock of the class described, a fence, a series of tumblers mounted for rotation about a single predetermined axis and having gatings into which said fence enters upon alignment of said gatings and said fence, a dial rotating in said axis, means whereby said dial sets said tumblers, means for pressing `said fence relatively to said tumblers, and means directing the pressing action of said pressing means on said fence away from said tumblers during part of each revolution of said dial and toward said tumblers 6 during remainder oi each revolution of :said dial.

5. In a lock -oi the class described Lhaving fa fence and aseries of tumblers Amounted for .rotation in a "predetermined axis with a driver tumbl'er rotating sequentially the tumbler adjacent thereto, the Inext tumbler, Iand so on, said tum blers ihaving gatings for the entry of said fence, means pressing said fence relatively to fsaid tumblers, and means through which said driver tumbier directs lthe pressing action of said pressing means on Ysaid 'fence away from said tumblers during ya continuous angular part of -the rotation of said driver tumbler and toward said tumblers during the remainder 4of the angular rotation of said 'driver tumbler.

6. 'In `a lock of the class described, a fence, a series of 'rotatable tumblers .having gating-s into which j'said fence enters upon alignment fof fsa-id gatings and'said lfence, a spring for pressing said fence, and Vmeans actuated by at least one of said itumblers for controlling said spring to press said fence away from said vtumblers during part of the rotation of said one of said tumblers and for 'pressing said fence toward said tumblers during the remainder of the rotation of said one of said tumblers.

7. 'In a lock of the vclass described, a fence, a series of rotatable tumblers having gatings into which `said fence enters upon alignment of vsaid gatings and said fence, a Adial :for rotating -said tumblers, a spring, vand means actuated by sai-d dial for controlling said spring to press said `fence away from said tumblers during part of each revolution of said dial and for pressing said fence toward said tumblers during the remainder of each revolution of said dial.

3. In a lock of the class described, a fence, a series of rotatable tumblers having gatings into which said fence enters upon alignment of said gatings and said fence, a spring for pressing said fence alternately toward and away from said tumblers, and means actuated by one of said tumblers for moving a part of said spring to press said fence away from said tumblers during part of the rotation of said tumbler and for pressing said fence toward said tumblers `during the remainder of the rotation of said tumbler.

9. In a lock of the class described, a fence, a series of rotatable tumblers having gatings into which said fence enters upon alignment of said gatings and said fence, a spring secured at one end to said fence, movable means for which the other end of said spring is secured, and means whereby one of said tumblers moves said movable means as it rotates whereby to move one end of the spring to press said fence away from said tumblers during part ofthe rotation of said one tumbler and for pressing said fence toward said tumblers during the remainder of the rotation of said one tumbler.

10. In a lock Aof the class described, a fence, Aa series of rotatable tumblers having .gatings into which said fence enters upon alignment of said gatings and said fence, a dial for rotating said tumblers, a spring secured at one end to said fence, movable means to which the other end or said spring is secured, and means whereby said dial .moves said movable means and said one end of the spring to presssaid fence away from said tumblers during part of each revolution of said dial and to press said fence toward said tumblers during the remainder of each revolution of said dial.

11. 'In a lock of the class described having a main fence and a series of tumblers mounted for sequential rotation in a predetermined axis by one of said tumblers termed the driver tumbler, said tumblers having gatings for the entry of said -main fence, a feeler fence, means whereby said feeler fence enters said gatings upon alignment thereof, and means whereby the movement of said feeler fence thereafter by said tumblers through said gatings effects the movement of said main fence.

12. In a lock of the class described having a main fence and a series of tumblers mounted for sequential rotation in a predetermined axis by one of said tumblers termed the driver tumbler, said tumblers having gatings for the entry of said main fence, a feeler fence pivotally mounted on said main fence, means whereby said feeler fence enters said gatings upon alignment thereof, and means whereby the movement of said feeler fence thereafter by said tumblers through said gatings effects the movement of said main fence.

13. In a lock of the class described having a main fence and a series of tumblers mounted for sequential rotation in a predetermined axis by one of said tumblers termed the driver tumbler, said tumblers having gatings for the entry of said main fence, a feeler fence pivotally mounted on said main fence, a spring pressing said feeler fence on its pivot toward the gatings of said tumblers whereby to enter said gatings upon the alignment thereof with said feeler fence, and means whereby the movement of said feeler fence thereafter by said tumblers through said gatings effects the movement of said main fence.

14. In a lock of the class described, a series of tumblers mounted for sequential rotation in a predetermined axis, said tumblers having gatings for the entry of a fence, a main fence pivoted for movement into and out of said gatings and for pivotal movement incidental to rotation of said tumblers after said main fence has entered said gatings, a feeler fence pivotally mounted on said main fence, a spring pressing said feeler fence on said pivot toward the tumblers whereby to enter said gatings on the alignment thereof with said feeler fence, and the rotation of said tumblers thereafter effecting through said gatings first the pivotal movement of said feeler fence and then through said feeler fence the entry of said main fence into said gatings and the pivotal movement of said main fence by said gatings thereafter.

l5. In a lock of the class described, a series of tumblers mounted for rotation in a predetermined axis, a dial for rotating said tumblers, said tumblers having gatings for the entry of a fence, a main fence pivoted for movement into and out of said gatings and for pivotal movement incidental to rotation of said tumblers after said main fence has entered said gatings, a spring for holding said main fence away from said tumblers, a feeler fence pivotally mounted on said main fence, means acuated by said dial for pressing said feeler fence on said pivot toward said tumblers during part of each revolution of said dial and away from said tumblers during the remainder of each revolution of said dial, said feeler fence entering said gatings upon the alignment thereof during said part of each revolution of the dial, and the rotation of said tumblers thereafter effecting through said gatings first the pivotal movement of said feeler fence and then through said feeler fence the entry of said main fence against the pressure of its spring into said 8 gatings and the pivotal movement of said main fence by said gatings thereafter.

16. In a lock of the class described, a series of tumblers mounted for rotation in a predetermined axis, a dial for setting said tumblers, said tumblers having gatings for the entry of a fence, a main fence pivoted for movement into and out of said gatings and for pivotal movement incidental to rotation of said tumblers after said main fence has entered said gatings, a feeler fence pivotally mounted on said main fence, means actuated by said dial for pressing said feeler fence on said pivot toward the tumblers during part of each revolution of said dial and away from said tumblers during the remainder of each revolution of said dial, said feeler fence entering said gatings upon the alignment thereof with said feeler fence, and the rotation of said tumblers thereafter effecting through said gatings first the pivotal movement of said feeler fence and then through said feeler fence the entry of said main fence into said gatings and the pivotal movement of said main fence by said gatings thereafter.

17. In a lock of the class described, a series of tumblers mounted for rotation in a predetermined axis, a dial for rotating said tumblers, said tumblers having gatings for the entry of a fence, a main fence pivoted for movement into and out of said gatings and for pivotal movement incidental to rotation of said tumblers after said main fence has entered said gatings, a spring pressing said main fence away from said tumbler gatings, a feeler fence pivotally mounted on said main fence, a second spring secured at one end to said feeler fence, means actuated by rotation of said dial for moving the other end of the said second spring as said dial rotates for pressing said feeler fence on said pivot toward the tumblers during part of each revolution of said dial and away from said tumblers during the remainder of each revolution of said dial, said feeler fence entering said gatings upon the alignment thereof with said feeler fence, and the rotation of said tumblers thereafter effecting through said gatings rst the pivotal movement of said feeler fence and then through said feeler fence the entry of said main fence against the pressure of its spring into said gatings and the pivotal movement of said main fence by said gatings thereafter.

18. In a lock of the class described, a fence. a bolt, a series of rotatable tumblers having gatings into which said fence enters upon alignment of said gatings and said fence, a dial for rotating said tumblers, means for pressing said fence away from said tumblers during part of each revolution of said dial and for pressing said fence toward said tumblers, means whereby said pressing means is controlled for pressing said fence toward said tumblers only during the remainder of each revolution of `said dial, and means whereby rotation of said tumblers after said fence is in said gatings and the consequent movement of said fence retracts said bolt.

19. In a lock of the class described, a fence mounted for movement, a bolt, a series of tumblers mounted for rotation in a predetermined axis, said tumblers having gatings for the entry ofy said fence, a dial for rotating said tumblers to align said gatings opposite said fence, means actuated by said dial for pressing said fence away from said tumblers during part of each revolution of said dial and for pressing said fence toward said tumblers during the remainder of each revolution of said dial, said fence being movable incidental to rotation of said tumblers after said fence enters the gatings thereof, and means whereby said movement of said fence by said tumblers retracts said bolt.

20. In a lock of the class described, a series of tumblers mounted for sequential rotation in a predetermined axis by one of said tumbler-s termed the driver tumbler, said tumblers having,T gatings for the entry of a fence, a main fence pivoted for movement into and out of said gatings and for pivotal movement incidental to rotation of said tumblers after said main fence has entered said gatings, a feeler fence pivotally mounted on said main fence, spring means actuated by said driver tumbler for pressing said feeler fence on said pivot toward the tumblers whereby to enter said gatings upon the alignment thereof with said feeler fence during a part of eaeh,revolution of said driver tumbler and away from said tumblers during` the remainder of each revolution, and the rotation of said tumblers with said feeler fence in said gatings effecting through said gatings iirst the pivotal movement of said feeler fence and then through said feeler fence the entry of said main fence into said gatings and the pivotal movement of said main fence by said gatings thereafter.

21. In a lock of the class described, a series of tumblers mounted for sequential rotation in a predetermined axis by one of said tumblers termed the driver tumbler, said tumblers having gatings, a main fence pivoted for movement into and out of said gatings and for pivotal movement incidental to rotation of said tumblers after said main fence has entered said gatings, a feeler fence pivotally mounted on said main fenoe, spring means for swinging said feeler fence on said main fence, means actuated by said driver tumbler controlling said spring means to press said feeler fence toward the tumblers Whereby to enter said gatings upon the alignment there of with said feeler fence during a part of each revolution of said driver tumbler and away from said tumblers during the remainder of each revolution, the rotation of said tumblers with said feeler fence in said gatings effecting through said gatings rst the pivotal movement oi' said feeler fence and then through said feeler fence the entry of said main fence into said gatings and the pivotal movement of said main fence by said gatings thereafter, a bolt, means extending between said bolt and main fence to hold said main fence away from the tumblers when said bolt is projected, said means retracting said bolt when said main fence is moved by said feeler fence and tumblers.

MAURICE D. BENNETT. FRANK T. ZZZI.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 105,102 Macneale July 5, 1870 132,936 Sullivan Nov. 12, 1'872 821,548 Streeter et al. May 22, 1906 1,758,263 Merz May 13, 1930 

